The Lend-Lease Bill AddressBy Hattie Caraway2nd Woman to Serve as a U.S. Senator

The lend-lease bill address by the Honorable Hattie Caraway of Arkansas
Radio Address delivered on
February 27, 1941

I wish to speak to you briefly on some phases of the lend-lease bill now before the United States Senate. There have been three major issues considered Congress having to do with our preparedness; the neutrality law, the Selective Service Act, and the pending bill.

The controversy going on over the lend-lease bill presents a familiar picture. We have much of the same old scenery that attended the consideration of the neutrality bill. Practically the same type of speech is being made against this bill as was made against the neutrality measure. At the time, the constant cry of those opposed to the neutrality legislation was that it would lead us into war. These are but few who do not realize now that the neutrality law has done more than any single thing to keep us out of the conflict.

The same gentlemen who are opposing the lend-lease bill in the Senate now said in 1939 that the neutrality bill would put us into war. The same gentlemen also said later on that if the Selective Services Act passes we would be in the war in 30 days. They were false prophets then. Is there any reason to believe that their present dire forecasts are more accurate than their other attempts at prophecy?

During the consideration of the Selective Services Act there was the same off-repeated chant that that bill would bring us into the conflict immediately. The passage of that law was wise. If the United Sates is forced into war, that measure will help protect our boys by making them better prepared. Untrained troops stand no chance against trained ones in modern warfare. In addition, it has acted to prevent war being made on this country. No bully is apt to attack one who is prepared.

It is my firm belief that the passage of the pending lend-lease bill will have he same result as the other two major preparedness measures which I have mentioned, and that the wisdom of the bill will be proved. I believe that the enactment of this bill into law will do much to prevent our being drawn into the conflict.

I realized that the citizens of this country have had dinned into their ears day after day the continuous repetition of the statement that the enactment of the lend-lease bill will bring us into war. The adroit opponents of the measure realize that the vast majority of our citizens are opposed to war. In order to capitalize on that knowledge, they have never made a speech that did not contend as its main theme that this measure would bring us into war. They fear to do anything lest it bring Hitler's wrath down upon them.

Why all this cringing before Mr. Hitler? Why the fear that we may do something which would make the German dictator angry? There are those who have been so fearful of his ire that they would not have us prepare, and yet those people know that the only law which Mr. Hitler respects is that of force and are aware of the fate of nations which have not been in a position to meet force with force. I,for one, am weary of this attitude on the part of those who would cringe and make an attempt to appease the one man in the world who seeks to dominate it according to his own ideas.

Against the lend-lease bill we see the same old flood of familiar propaganda directed against it that poured onto Congress when the other two measures were being considered. The volume is greater. This is not true of the mail from my state. I believed 90 percent of my people favor the bill. I have never seen as much propaganda directed against any measure, with but one exception, since I have been a United Sates senator. Perhaps the majority of those writing against the bill are sincere. However, I am confident that the slimy hands of Nazi propagandists have been at work, and still are, as never before concerning any measure which has come before the congress. There are many people and a number of organizations opposed to the bill who are unwillingly being used as tools by the Hitler machine. We have seen the results of Nazi propaganda being used as tools by the Hitler machine. We have seen the results of Nazi propaganda in other countries. It is definitely certain that Dictator Hitler and the subversive interests of this country not overlook a chance like this to spread their poison.

I am the only woman Member of the United States Senate. Because of that fact, I have received a great many communications against the bill that would not otherwise have come to me. They urge that because of my sex I should, in support of their views, vote against this proposed legislation. I stated when I entered he Senate that I saw no reason for differentiating between men and women who serve in legislative capacities. There should be equal responsibilities among them with a view toward equal service to achieve identical goals.

Those opposing this measure are seeking to frighten the women of this country by their constant cry of "War." However, I do not believe they take into consideration the fact that history of this country shows that the women of American are just as loyal, just as courageous, and just as self sacrificing as the men. I know that if war should come to us, the women would show equal courage with the men. In fact, I sometimes think they would have to show more, for long after war is over the women will still be fighting for American principles.

Let us view this matter without emotions. Let there be borne by all the desire alone to have what is best for the United States. The present war is one of ideas. The dictator, believing that might is right, are seeking to impose upon the world a system of moral, economic, and political control to which it has never before been subjected in history. These theories are opposed to our belief in freedom and democracy. They are opposed to the American doctrine of self-government. They are against Christianity or any other form of religion except the worship of the state under the control of a dictator. It is opposed to the American theory of life, liberty, happiness, and the right to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences.

If Hitler wins, we will face not only a hostile Germany but a hostile world. There can be no doubt but that Hitler desires to impose his system upon the whole world, including the United States. He has said so.

The opponents of this measure would seek to lull you into security, saying that there would be no possibility of Hitler's attempting an invasion of the United States. They have said that the German Dictator could not do many things of a comparable nature. He has done them. In fact,the fate of some of the destroyed nations is due in part of their belief that Hitler could not do those things which has been done. The opponents of the measure scoff at the idea of Hitler's being able to transport troops to this country. During the World War the United States transported millions os soldiers across 3,000 miles of water and supplied them. This was done because the allies commanded the seas. If England goes down and Hitler dominates the oceans, who is there among us who can say with any certainty than an invasion of the United States could not be attempted?

Many believe that Great Britain is fighting for us. I think that England is fighting for her life. However, I do believe that Great Britain and the other democracies are not bearing the brunt of the fighting for that which Americans believe is right.

One of the primary purposes of the lend-lease bills is to aid England and the democracies in that fight. That is not all of it, however. We, as a nation, have a selfish interest in this matter. Most of those who support this bill do so because, in part, they believe it is for our own preservation. If England wins, we know what to expect in the future. If Hitler were successful, God alone knows what the United States and the world would face.

In this fight I do not believe England needs or wants our men to go overseas. She does want materials and munitions of war in order to carry on her fight. If the aid which we are to extend to England and the democracies is to be helpful, we must hurry. It may be later that we think. Interminable time has been spent in debate, much of which is a constant repetition of what has been said before. Every day of delay may prove costly.

The press of the past week has shouted from its front pages that Hitler says the British will be doomed by April. Most military and naval experts believe that a supreme effort to destroy England will be made soon. Full speed ahead is necessary. If we fail to render prompt and effective aid to England and the democracies, it may be the most tragic mistakes America has ever made.

I have never thought that we would be drawn into the conflict. I may be in error. Who knows but the regardless of what we do in a legislative way this conflict may be forced upon us? What Solomon is there among us who can assure what the future may hold? After all, I think that the decision of whether we will be forced into the war or not rests in the hands of one man- Adolph Hitler.

This is not a partisan issue. It is one which should not divide our people into antagonistic groups. Much ill feeling has been engendered because of the controversy over this bill. It has not helped national unity. After all, it is your country and mine. America, united, can withstand the force of an attack far greater than any the world has yet known. Divided, it might easier invite aggression. One of the principles methods of Hitler's war strategy is a division of popular opinion in the nation to be attacked. It has proved as potent as guns and ammunition.

In addition to the cry that this bill will lead us into war there has been a constant attack upon President Roosevelt. I think that a fair and unbiased study would reveal that the President has handled the foreign affairs of the Nation wisely. I devoutly believe that Franklin D. Roosevelt will continue do all in his power to keep us out of the conflict. The pending bill does not delegate to the President any legislative power. We have had quiet a battle in Congress about the delegation of lawmaking power. The President has none. What does this measure do? It enlarges the Chief Executive's administrative defense powers and provides for their simple and effective use.

I think that I have as much interest in keeping this nation out of war as anyone. I have two sons already in the military service. They entered the army because it was their wish to do so. I gave my consent. If they were civilians and there was a national emergency and they did not do their part, I would disown them.

I do not want war. I do not know of any senator favoring this bill who is for war. Many of them have sons as have I. These sons are either already in the military service or will be called sooner or later.

The overwhelming majority of the American people, regardless of race, color, religion, creed, politics, or origin, favor this measure as one of the greatest effectiveness in the national defense.

It is not so much a question of whether we will get into the war. It is rather one of whether war will come to us. For my part I state to the mothers and fathers of America, and I repeat to the young men of my country, that it is my firm belief that the pending measure, if enacted into law, will do much to keep the war from our shores.

As a representative of a sovereign state, as an American mother, as one who has been a constant advocate of peace, as one who believes that humanity is at stake and that some measure must be taken to safeguard it, I will case my vote for the lend-lease bill.

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